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Back home, Blackhawks blank Blues to cut series deficit

Corey Crawford made 34 saves in his third career postseason shutout, and the Chicago Blackhawks got back into their playoff series with the St. Louis Blues with a 2-0 victory in Game 3 on Monday night.

CHICAGO (AP) — Corey Crawford made 34 saves in his third career postseason shutout, and the Chicago Blackhawks got back into their playoff series with the St. Louis Blues with a 2-0 victory in Game 3 on Monday night.

Jonathan Toews and Marcus Kruger scored as the defending Stanley Cup champions bounced back after a pair of overtime losses in St. Louis. Toews' 21st postseason goal was only the second score by a Blackhawks forward in the series.

Ryan Miller shook off another slow start and finished with 23 saves, but Toews' shot at 4:10 of the first went through the goaltender's legs and was costly.

It was quite a turnaround for Crawford, who was upset with his play after Saturday's 4-3 loss. Barret Jackman's winning goal in Game 2 went through Crawford, prompting the goaltender to say he had to play better for Chicago to win.

Just two days later, he came up with one of the best games of his career.

Crawford seemed to be in the right place at the right time all night, drawing chants of "Co-rey! Co-rey from the capacity crowd at the United Center. He was helped by a sound performance by Duncan Keith and the rest of the Blackhawks' defensemen, who stepped up while playing without the suspended Brent Seabrook.

The Blues, who scored tying goals late in regulation in each of the first two games, pulled Miller with 57 seconds left, but the Blackhawks held on. Kruger stuffed home an empty-netter in the final seconds.

Each team was without a key contributor after Seabrook wiped out Blues center David Backes with a big hit in Game 2. The five-minute major and game misconduct penalty for Seabrook led to Vladimir Tarasenko's tying power-play goal with 6.4 seconds left.

Seabrook was suspended for three games by the NHL, putting Sheldon Brookbank in the lineup for the first time in the series. Playing with Keith, Brookbank turned in a solid performance in his 19th career playoff game.

While Backes was held out with an upper-body injury, center Patrik Berglund returned for the Blues after missing three games with an upper-body injury. Berglund, who had 14 goals and 18 assists this season, skated behind the net for a nice wraparound opportunity in the first period, but was turned away by Chicago defenseman Nick Leddy.

Seabrook's hit on Backes, and at least one knee-on-knee blow by Bryan Bickell, increased the tension between Central Division rivals. But Game 3 was surprisingly civil, with each team wary of another penalty that could swing the series. There was a lot of chirping from each side, and that was about it.

Looking for a spark, Chicago coach Joel Quenneville put Toews, Patrick Kane and Bickell on the same line for the start of Game 3. The trio had a lot of success in the Blackhawks' run to the title last year.

The move worked.

Toews connected from the top of the left point in the first, beating Miller with a shot that might have deflected off the stick of Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk. Bickell also created a couple of quality chances with some slick passing.

Minnesota Wild left wing Dany Heatley (15) reacts to his goal with defenseman Marco Scandella (6) against the Colorado Avalanche in the second period in game seven. (Photo: Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports)

New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist makes a save against Philadelphia Flyers right wing Wayne Simmonds. The Flyers beat the Rangers 5-2 to send the series to a game seven. (Photo: Eric Hartline Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)

Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) celebrates with goalie Jonathan Quick (32) after the game in game six of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center. (Photo: Kelvin Kuo, USA TODAY Sports)

Los Angeles Kings center Mike Richards (10) and San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture (39) fight during the third period in game six of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center. (Photo: Kelvin Kuo, USA TODAY Sports)

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Robyn Regehr (44) knocks the puck away from San Jose Sharks left wing Matthew Nieto (83) during the third period in game six of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center. (Photo: Kelvin Kuo, USA TODAY Sports)

Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise (11) celebrates his goal with defenseman Ryan Suter (20) during the first period against the Colorado Avalanche in game six of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. (Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn, USA TODAY Sports)

Colorado Avalanche forward Matt Duchene (9) and forward Ryan O'Reilly (90) celebrate a goal scored by defenseman Nick Holden (2) during the second period against the Minnesota Wild in game six of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. (Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports)

Blackhawks left wing Patrick Sharp, center, celebrates his goal with Ben Smith, left, and Patrick Kane during the third period in Game 6 at the United Center. Chicago won 5-1 to take the series. (Photo: Dennis Wierzbicki, USA TODAY Sports)

Blues goalie Ryan Miller makes a save in front of Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews during the third period of Game 6 at the United Center. Chicago won 5-1 to take the series. (Photo: Dennis Wierzbicki, USA TODAY Sports)

New York Rangers center Dominic Moore celebrates his goal in the second period of Game 5 against the Philadelphia Flyers. He had a goal and an assist in the Rangers' 4-2 victory. (Photo: John Geliebter, USA TODAY Sports)

New York Rangers right wing Mats Zuccarello (36) checks Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Hal Gill, 39, who was making his first appearance in the 2014 postseason. Gill played a little more than 12 minutes and a minus 2. (Photo: John Geliebter, USA TODAY Sports)

Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux celebrates his first goal of the playoffs during the third period. It pulled the Flyers to within 3-2, but the Rangers got an empty-netter and a 3-2 series lead. (Photo: John Geliebter, USA TODAY Sports)

Members of the Colorado Avalanche celebrate after forward Nathan MacKinnon (29) scored the game winning goal during the overtime period in game five of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Minnesota Wild at Pepsi Center. The Avalanche won 4-3 in overtime. (Photo: Chris Humphreys, USA TODAY Sports)

Colorado Avalanche center Paul Stastny (26) celebrates after forward Nathan MacKinnon (not pictured) scored the game winning goal during the overtime period in game five of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Minnesota Wild at Pepsi Center. The Avalanche won 4-3 in overtime. (Photo: Chris Humphreys, USA TODAY Sports)

Members of the Minnesota Wild celebrate after a goal by left wing Matt Moulson (26) during the second period in game five of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center. (Photo: Chris Humphreys, USA TODAY Sports)

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin (6) hits San Jose Sharks right wing Brent Burns (88) during the first period in game five of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. (Photo: Cary Edmondson, USA TODAY Sports)

Los Angeles Kings center Jarret Stoll (28) attempts to gain control of the puck between San Jose Sharks defenseman Scott Hannan (27) and goalie Alex Stalock (32) during the second period in game five of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. (Photo: Cary Edmondson, USA TODAY Sports)

Los Angeles Kings center Tyler Toffoli (73) reacts after scoring a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the first period in game five of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. (Photo: Cary Edmondson, USA TODAY Sports)

Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) and left wing Chris Kunitz (right) react to a goal by Kunitz against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period in game five of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. (Photo: Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports)

Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner (38) and center Ryan Johansen (19) celebrate a goal by Jenner against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in game five of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. (Photo: Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sport)

Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Chris Kunitz (14) is congratulated by defenseman Paul Martin (7) and center Evgeni Malkin (right) after Kunitz scored a goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period in game five of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. (Photo: Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sport)

St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) looks to pass as Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Sheldon Brookbank (17) pressures during the third period in game five of the first round. (Photo: Scott Rovak, USA TODAY Sports)

Chicago Blackhawks right wing Ben Smith (28) and St. Louis Blues defenseman Jordan Leopold (33) battle for the puck during the third period in game five of the first round. (Photo: Scott Rovak, USA TODAY Sports)

Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) shoots and scores the game winning goal against St. Louis Blues goalie Ryan Miller (39) during overtime in game five of the first round. (Photo: Scott Rovak, USA TODAY Sports)

Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (second from right) celebrates with teammates Johnny Oduya (27) , Jonathan Toews (19) and Patrick Sharp (10) after scoring a goal against the St. Louis Blues during the second period in game four. (Photo: Jerry Lai, USA TODAY Sports)

Anaheim Ducks right wing Kyle Palmieri (21) tries to redirect the puck past Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen (32) during the second period in game four of the first round. (Photo: Jerome Miron, USA TODAY Sports)

Montreal Canadiens left wing Max Pacioretty (67) scores the game-winning goal in the third period of game four against Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Anders Lindback. (Photo: Jean-Yves Ahern, USA TODAY Sports)

Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher (11) misses a chance to score a goal in the second period of game four against Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Anders Lindback. (Photo: Jean-Yves Ahern, USA TODAY Sports)

Chicago Blackhawks center Andrew Shaw (65) and St. Louis Blues center Patrik Berglund (21) try to gain control of the puck during the second period in game three. (Photo: David Banks, USA TODAY Sports)

Chicago Blackhawks right wing Ben Smith (28) is knocked to the ice by St. Louis Blues defenseman Jordan Leopold (33) as goalie Ryan Miller (39) is nearby during the second period. (Photo: David Banks, USA TODAY Sports)

Columbus Blue Jackets center Brandon Dubinsky (17) and Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) chase after a loose puck during the first period in game three of the first round. (Photo: Russell LaBounty, USA TODAY Sports)

Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Cam Atkinson (13) grabs a rebound from a Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) save during the first period in game three of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Photo: Russell LaBounty, USA TODAY Sports)

Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty (67) battles for the puck with Tampa Bay Lightning forward Tom Pyatt (11) during the third period in game three of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Photo: Eric Bolte, USA TODAY Sports)

Boston Bruins right wing Loui Eriksson (21) sends Detroit Red Wings center Darren Helm (43) into the boards during the first period in game two of the first round. (Photo: Greg M. Cooper, USA TODAY Sports)